But despite his steady progress, Daws now finds himself boxed out of the NHL roster. With Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen locked in as the Devils’ goaltending tandem for 2025-26, Daws appears destined for waivers if he doesn’t get moved, an outcome the team would be wise to avoid.
Nico Daws must be offer to others team. He’s not the future in NJ and with Allen 5 years contract he will be claimed on the first waiver… Yegorov is there and maybe extend Markstrom. IF #NJDevils don’t trade Daws they will lose him on waiver nxt season for sure 🤷♂️🥶 #FireFitz pic.twitter.com/iAsiAMaXgz
Daws’ situation has sparked league-wide interest. The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his deal and is no longer waiver-exempt, meaning any attempt to assign him to the AHL risks losing him for nothing.
James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now reports that trade discussions are heating up, with the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Vegas Golden Knights all emerging as potential suitors. Each team has a hole or long-term uncertainty in their crease and could offer Daws a clearer NHL path than the crowded Devils pipeline.
The first-ever winner of the Jim Rutherford Trophy as OHL Goaltender of the Year, Nico Daws has continued to develop since graduating from @Storm_City! 🙅♂️#OHL In The System ➡️ https://t.co/WNjcb1guLG@NJDevils | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/CYweHcqj6T
Trading Daws outright or including him in a package with names like Dougie Hamilton or Dawson Mercer could help the Devils upgrade their forward group or free up cap space for a Luke Hughes extension.
With Daws’ strong .939 save percentage and 1.60 GAA in limited NHL action last season, the Devils should seize this moment to extract value. Whether it’s Edmonton’s lack of depth, Vegas’ search for a reliable backup, or Calgary’s need for support behind Dustin Wolf, Daws is a trade chip ready to be cashed.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Enter your email address and we’ll send it straight to your inbox.
You have successfully joined our subscriber list.
FOLLOW US
Hockey News